I last reviewed Echo Screen in 2006 and wrote them off as a generic pop-punk band, so hopefully I can be excused for not expecting that much this time round. But lo and behold this is good – admittedly it sounds like an entirely different band, but ‘Goodbye Old Life’ has a more Limbeck/Death Cab feel which sounds much more natural. ‘Amsterdam’ is a cracking start; a real foot-tapper that will have you singing along in no time. It kind of sets the tone for the rest of the EP as songs build up from acoustic starts into full band efforts that are catchy and well rounded. ‘Bombs Away’ is a slow burner while ‘The Sun’ is a genuinely tender effort. Thumbs up for Ace Enders’ cracking production too, it suits the music real well. Echo Screen have grown up and this EP is a fine listen.
